A review by cinderellasbookshelf
We Were Dreamers: An Immigrant Superhero Origin Story, by Simu Liu
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
I haven’t read enough memoirs lately, so I was so happy that I got to buddy read Simu Liu’s WE WERE DREAMERS via the audiobook with a friend on bookstagram. I had been curious about the actor ever since he was first announced as playing Marvel’s Shang-Chi, and listening to him share his life story (so far) made this a personal read that made me see and appreciate him in a new light.
I should start by saying that I am not usually a crier, but throughout the book, I was hit with a wave of empathy and emotions. I practically had to hold back tears as Liu shared his parents’ backstory - and this was only chapters 2 and 3. His mother’s story especially, and then listening to him get choked up thinking back on his grandparents, who helped raise him in Harbin before he embarked on his new life in Canada with his parents.
Liu talking about growing up in Canada - millennial references and all - had me feeling hilariously nostalgic. These lighter moments however, also conflicted with his difficult relationship with his parents, which he openly discusses. It was the hardest to listen to sometimes and I really respected them for sharing it. In my own Asian household, my parents were not as strict on me, but I understand that pressure and weight to succeed because of all the risks and sacrifices they made. It’s something I hadn’t realized until much later and this book had me reflecting on it again as well as about remembering where you come from.
I really enjoyed listening to him talk about how he first got into acting after starting a career in accounting. It wasn’t glamorous, but scrappy yet full of earnestness, hope, humor, and ambition despite the odds. To see how all of it paid off and where his career is now is amazing. I even mentioned to my friend how I was ready to read more after his Marvel audition until I realized that this is only the beginning of whatever he has ahead.
This was a great read and if you get a chance to pick it up, I highly recommend the audiobook to get the full experience of Simu Liu telling his story.
I should start by saying that I am not usually a crier, but throughout the book, I was hit with a wave of empathy and emotions. I practically had to hold back tears as Liu shared his parents’ backstory - and this was only chapters 2 and 3. His mother’s story especially, and then listening to him get choked up thinking back on his grandparents, who helped raise him in Harbin before he embarked on his new life in Canada with his parents.
Liu talking about growing up in Canada - millennial references and all - had me feeling hilariously nostalgic. These lighter moments however, also conflicted with his difficult relationship with his parents, which he openly discusses. It was the hardest to listen to sometimes and I really respected them for sharing it. In my own Asian household, my parents were not as strict on me, but I understand that pressure and weight to succeed because of all the risks and sacrifices they made. It’s something I hadn’t realized until much later and this book had me reflecting on it again as well as about remembering where you come from.
I really enjoyed listening to him talk about how he first got into acting after starting a career in accounting. It wasn’t glamorous, but scrappy yet full of earnestness, hope, humor, and ambition despite the odds. To see how all of it paid off and where his career is now is amazing. I even mentioned to my friend how I was ready to read more after his Marvel audition until I realized that this is only the beginning of whatever he has ahead.
This was a great read and if you get a chance to pick it up, I highly recommend the audiobook to get the full experience of Simu Liu telling his story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Racism